The reversal of the Major League's representative small market club was the result of Kim Ha-sung's shoulder injury and a strategy of "one step back for two steps forward."안전놀이터

Kim Ha-sung signed a "surprise contract" with the Tampa Bay Rays on the 30th of last month (Korea time). The two-year total of $29 million was also subject to the condition of becoming an FA again due to opt-out a year later. Kim Ha-sung became the highest-paid player in the Tampa Bay team with an annual salary of $13 million this year. It is surprising that Kim Ha-sung, who would have expected a large contract of more than $100 million, joined Tampa Bay's hand, but it was also surprising news that Tampa Bay, a small market club pursuing low cost and high efficiency, spent nearly $30 million. Kim Ha-sung became the second-largest contract Tampa Bay invested in FA fielders after Greg Vaughan's four-year, $34 million.

The Tampa Bay Times viewed Kim Ha-sung's transfer as a team-friendly contract. "In theory, the best outcome Tampa Bay can get from a two-year, 29-million-dollar contract with Kim Ha-sung is that he will return from his shoulder rehabilitation by mid-May to lead his team to the World Series title for the second consecutive year and build a statue in a new stadium," the media said on the 3rd, joking with false expectations.

"The second-largest contract Tampa Bay has ever given to the FA fielders, after Greg Vaughan's four-year, $34 million deal in 1999, could come to fruition for less. Tampa Bay sees Kim Ha-sung as a quality player who defends as well as Taylor Walls and provides far better offense," he added.

"With Gam Ha-sung in the shortstop, Danny Jansen in the catcher, and Johnny DeLuca in the center field, Tampa Bay has made progress in three centerline positions. They can bring more productivity to the teams that ranked 27th, 28th and 25th in the OPS by position last year," he added.

It was also expected that Kim Ha-sung's return to the Major League could take place gradually. The media predicted a scenario in which Kim Ha-sung began playing as a designated hitter until he fully recovered his right shoulder and adjusted to the game, played second base, and then entered shortstop.

Regarding Kim Ha-sung's ransom, he wrote, "In terms of salary in Tampa Bay, Kim Ha-sung is a player who receives a lot of money, but it is different when you look at the FA market today. FA players with annual average income of more than $14.5 million this offseason include Michael Confoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Alex Cobb of the Detroit Tigers and Gleyber Torres. Kim Ha-sung's $13 million annual salary this season is the highest in Tampa Bay and will remain the highest in the team's ranking ever. If Kim Ha-sung fills up all $2 million in playing allowance, it will be Charlie Morton's new club record of $15 million in 2019 and tie."

The two-year, 29 million-dollar contract is far from what the Tampa Bay Rays expected before the season. However, the Tampa Bay Rays considered it a lucky thing to recruit Kim Ha-sung with the money. "There is speculation that if Kim Ha-sung had not injured his shoulder in mid-August last year, he would have targeted a contract worth more than 100 million dollars with an annual salary of 20 million dollars. It is rare to bring in a player of that value in a short-term contract," the media said.

"If Kim Ha-sung returns healthy and performs well in the 2025 season, he can become an FA again through opt-out. If Kim Ha-sung remains in Tampa Bay next year with a $16 million salary, the team can trade him before the opening or during the season to reduce the burden of annual expenditure and bring in other players," he predicted. He also added, "The only situation in which this contract can return to Tampa Bay with the worst result is that Kim Ha-sung will be absent for a considerable period of time due to injury for two years." In other words, it is a contract that can help the team anyway.